"Infiltration is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil."
The process of water seeping into the soil as it moves downwards through the soil matrix.
Hydrology: The study of water in the Earth's water cycle including precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, and runoff.
Infiltration: The process by which water enters the soil surface and moves downward into the subsurface.
Soil properties: Soil properties such as texture, structure, and porosity affect the rate and amount of infiltration and water movement.
Porosity: The percentage of pore space in soil or rock.
Permeability: The ability of a soil or rock to transmit water.
Soil water retention characteristics: Water retention curves describe the relationship between soil moisture and soil water potential.
Capillary action: The movement of water through small capillary tubes or spaces against gravity.
Evapotranspiration: The process by which water is taken up by plants and evaporates from their leaves.
Groundwater: Water that is stored in pores and cracks in the subsurface.
Aquifers: A geological formation that contains water and can be tapped for water supply.
Recharge: The process by which water enters an aquifer.
Groundwater flow: The movement of groundwater through the subsurface.
Aquifer storage: The amount of water stored in an aquifer.
Groundwater discharge: The output of water from an aquifer.
Runoff: The water that flows over the soil surface and into streams and rivers.
Water balance: The relationship between precipitation, evapotranspiration, infiltration, and runoff.
Watershed: An area of land that drains into a common waterway.
Streamflow: The amount of water flowing in a stream or river.
Floods: An overflow of water caused by heavy rainfall, melting snow, or other factors.
Stormwater management: The management of runoff and flood control.
Erosion: The process of wearing away of soil and rock by water, wind, or other forces.
Sediment transport: The movement of sediment by water, wind, or other forces.
Water quality: The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water.
Water pollution: The contamination of water bodies by pollutants.
Water treatment: The process of making water safe for drinking by removing impurities.
Water supply: The provision of water for human use.
Water conservation: The management of water resources to ensure their sustainability.
Overland Flow Infiltration: It occurs when rainwater flows down the slopes of the land and infiltrates the ground.
Rapid Infiltration: It occurs on flat or gently sloping land, where the soil is permeable and can quickly absorb water.
Macropore Infiltration: It occurs when water infiltrates through the larger openings that exist in soil, like animal burrows, root channels, or cracks.
Vertical Infiltration: It occurs when water penetrates the soil surface and flows downward due to gravity.
Lateral Infiltration: It occurs when water flows laterally once it has penetrated the soil surface.
Capillary Infiltration: It occurs when water is drawn into the soil through capillary action, which is caused by the interaction of the soil's pore spaces and the water's surface tension.
Preflood Infiltration: It refers to the amount of water that infiltrates the soil before a flood event.
Postflood Infiltration: It refers to the amount of water that infiltrates the soil after a flood event.
Unsaturated Infiltration: It occurs when the soil is not fully saturated with water and can still absorb more water.
Saturated Infiltration: It occurs when the soil is holding as much water as it can, and any additional water cannot be absorbed.
"The infiltration capacity is defined as the maximum rate of infiltration."
"It is most often measured in meters per day but can also be measured in other units of distance over time if necessary."
"The infiltration capacity decreases as the soil moisture content of soil surface layers increases."
"Runoff will usually occur unless there is some physical barrier."
"Infiltrometers, parameters, and rainfall simulators are all devices that can be used to measure infiltration rates."
"Infiltration is caused by multiple factors including gravity, capillary forces, adsorption, and osmosis."
"Many soil characteristics can also play a role in determining the rate at which infiltration occurs."
"Infiltration is commonly used in both hydrology and soil sciences."